Pacquiao has coped with the higher weights better. Is hitting harder, showing more variety. Marquez still provides evidence that he prefers horizontal over vertical. Do I think Pacquiao will KO Marquez? Not sure, Marquez recovers incredibly well once hurt. But Pacquiao looks up for this bout, he has motivation that I haven't seen since Cotto. My prediction is Pacquiao mid/late TKO.
Shane Mosley, who campaigned at Jr. Middleweight and has been in with many big punchers, got caught with one clean shot and said it was the hardest he had ever been hit. Now, Marquez, who was knocked down by Katsidis and hurt by Diaz is going to be able to withstand that sort of power? Doesn't seem likely to me.
Okay, I've put a £25 bet on Pac to win by knockout, but here are the reasons I'm worried: 1. He turned off the steam against Margarito when he could have knocked him out. I'm not sure he has the heart to destroy a beaten-up opponent. I think if it gets into the later rounds, he will go easier on Marquez to make the fight last the distance. 2. If Marquez gets on his bike, Pac can't do anything. He's awful at cutting off the ring. I know Marquez is a Mexian warrior and all that, but if he decides he doesn't want to get hit as much (and I think he knows that if they duke it out he'll lose) then I don't think Pac will have an answer. No one wants to be knocked out, and Marquez' ATG status will be even more questionable if he gets badly KOed. 3. Marquez hasn't ever been KOed. Sure, he's been rocked, and he's been down, but he has a remarkable capacity for recovery. Combine good recuperation with a little back-pedaling, and this could got the full 12 rounds. Basically ... Pac has the ability to KO Marquez if he wants to, and if Marquez fights, but I'm not sure that either he has the willingness, or Marquez will let him.
Getting knockout hurt and knockdown doesnt mean he will get stop at 147 fighting a guy he had wars with. JMM is in shape and ready for war.
JMM and Pacquiao last fought in 2008. Since then... JMM has been on a very slow decline, having trouble with bigger opponents who he would have dealt with handily at lower weight classes. Whereas Pacquiao has been fighting bigger men, at even higher weights, and basically destroying them. Completely different boxers.
Problem that Marquez faces is that he has been down against Katsidis and hurt a few times by other guys at lower weights, if he thought Pacman was too hot to handle during the early going of previous bouts how an earth is he going to handle a Pacquiao that is hitting harder (he managed to hurt Margo which is a feat in itself), has varied his attack better since moving up and is hellbent on putting on a good showing. All the previous points all point towards Pacquiao improving despite slowing down a tad and Marquez slowing down, the extra weight JMM will have to put on will not help in this bout. Pacman KO3, i pray Marquez somehow makes it a great fight.
that Katsids upperhook was perfect, some bull**** logic, big George knocked out Frasier, Frasier beat Ali Therefore dum dum dum George Brutal Ko Ali Round 1
JMM is too resilient, he might get dropped but I dont think he'll get KOed. Why are people making such a big deal about katsidis droping him??? I understand Pac is P4P #1 but that doesnt place every other boxer's power out there miles below his own.